Laundry machine



May 18m, 1926A.

E. 1 HURD LAUNDRY- MACHINE Filed oet.. 411. 1923 2 Sheets-Shee't 1 AZO Z ya@ J0 90 90 3.90 390 /f/a /f/a .590 390 90 9 E. l.. HURD LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed oct. 11; 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 care of all of that the laundry has to handle.

, features of the invention wi Patentes May 1a,` 1926.

,. nutren STA 'EPHRAIM L. HUBD, OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA.

l LAUNDRY MACHINE.

Application tiled October 11, 1923. Serial. No. 667,964.

My invention, relates to improvements in la undrylmachines, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein describedand claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a laundry machine of'the type in which the clothes of various families can be Washed independently of each other, and in Whichthe clothes do not have to be marked as by printing on the clothes or attaching tags to the clot-hes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which consists of a number of units that are adapted to wash and rinse the clothes and then dry the clothes. j

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described in which the units may be interchanged so as to provide a machine that. is adapted to take care of fiat work or a -machine that is adapt-l ed totake care of bath towels or the like, in fact, a4 machine that is adapted to take.

the different kinds 'of Work A further ob-ject of my invention is to provide a device of the type described in which the laundry from the various families are placed in separate containers, these containers being fed through the machine by an automatic mechanism.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which has a novel drying apparatus.

Other object-s and advantages will appear in the following specific-ation. and the novel l1 be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated'nthe accompanying drawings forming 'part of vthis 'application, in which- Figure 1 is a side 'elevation of the device,

Figure 2 1s a section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional .view along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a detailed section of aeportion of the device, V

' Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the cylinder actuating means,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of one v form of the device, and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of another foi-1n of the device.

In carrying out my invention I' provide a y cross section,

rings 2l .and

machine which consists of a number of units A, B, and C. The unit A, (see Figure 6) is adapted to break down the clothes, that is, to spray Water upon the clothes so that thev clothes will be ready for the next unit B,

which. supplies thesuds to the clothes. The umt A is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, and consists of an outer casingl that is supported by castings 2. The casingy 1 has a trough or drain 3 in its under side and a Water jacket 4 on its upperside. A line of perforations 5 in the casing 1 permits the water in the jacket 4 to pass into the casing 4 and contact with the clothes. The unit A has a number of these lines of perforations, these lines being spaced Jfrom each other a predetermined distancel so as to sprinkle the clothes in containers that are disposeddirectly beneath the perforations.

The clothes are placed in containers X and are fed thru the unit A by a mechanism hereinafter described. The, mechanism which moves the containers X through the unit VA is adapted to beneath the lines cf perforations 5, whereby the entire bundle of clothes inv e'ach container will be thoroughly soaked before the containers are'fed to the unitthat soaps the clothes. The containers X consist of two circular metal ends 6 and a cylindrical wall of screening 7 that connects the two ends t0- gether. One of the ends 6 is provided with a door 8 by means of which the'clothes may-be disposed in the containers or removed there- `from.

Rollers 9 are 11otatively mounted the containers and are disposed adjacent to one end-thereof.' The end that has the rollersdisposed adjacent .thereto is the end that is first disposed in the unit A. The purplose for this will Abe presently set fort j The containers X are spaced from the casing 1 by means of a cylinder Y. This cylinder consistsof a. number of longitudinally extending ribs 10 that are V-shaped in (see Figure 3) and which are connected to each other at their ends by means of flanges 11. The flanges in turn are secured to a. ring 12 and a gear 13. The ring 12 has an annulargroove 14-wl1ich is adapted to receivean vannular'iange 15 of the castings 2. Roller bearings-16 are disposed in the annular groove 17 of the cast-`v support the ring 12. The gear 13 is secured to the ring 12 of the next upon unit, i. e., to the ring 12 of the unit B. Bolts 18 rigidly secure the ring and gear together. The ring 12 of the unit A also has a gear 13 secured thereto. This gear, however, does not carry one end 0f a cylinder Y, since this gear is disposed adjacent to one end of the machine. Theribs 10 support the containers X and at the same time permit the water owing from the perforations in the casing 1 to contact with'the clothes in the containers. The water passes downwardly from the jacket 4 through the perforations 5, between the ribs 10, through the screens 7, and into the containers The wa ter then drains from the containers X and falls into the drain 3, where it is led to a reclaiming device. From this device the water is again returned to the water jacket 4. It will be noted from this construction that the clothes in one container are washed independently of the clothes in another cont'ainer, since the water :falls in a vertical plane from the perforations 4 to the containers X and then aga-in falls in a vertical plane from the containers X-to the drain 3.

The containers Xare rotated as they are fed through the unit A so that all parts of the clothing within the containers will be thoroughly soaked before the containers are moved into the unit B. It will be noted that the containers X are provided with hemispherical knobs 19 that are centrally disposed on the ends 6. These knobs are adapted t contact with each other so as to space the containers X from each other for a purpose hereinafter described, and to permit one container to rotate -at a different speed from its adjacent container. The ribs 10 frictionally contact with the peripheries ofthe ends 6, whereby the containers will be rotated when the cylinder Y is rotated. The means for rotating the cylinder Y a certain number of revolutions 1n one direction and then the same number in the reverse direction is clearly shown in Figure 5.

This means comprises a shaft 50 that carries a gear 51 that is in mesh with a gear 31. The gear 31 is in mesh with a gear 32 that is mounted on a shaft 33. The gear 32 rotates the cylinder Y. Two loose pulleys 52, a pulley 53, and a worm gear 54 are mounted on the shaft 50. Belts 554 and 56, driven by a means not shown, are adapted to be moved from the pulleys 52 to the pulley 53 by an arm 57, whereby the shaft is reversed in its rotation. A rocker arm 58 is connected to the arm 57 and has a cam recess 59. A gear 60 in mesh with the worm 54 has a lug 61 thatiis adapted to rock the arm 5S. It will clearly he seen from this mechanism that the cylinder Y will first be rotated inone direction and then reversed in its direction.

It will be apparent that when the container lX is disposed inthe cylinder Y, it' would be instantly rotated by.the cylinder Y if it were not for the rollers 9. The opera.- tor in placing the container X in the cylinder Y first disposes the end 6 that has the rollers 9 adjacent thereto into the cylinder Y. As long as only the end having the rollers thereon is disposed in the cylinder, the rotation of the cylinder Y will merely cause the rollers 9 to rotate instead of caus.

ing the container X to rotate. The container may now be moved into the cylinder without endangering the operators hands. As the container X is moved further into the cylinder Y, i. e., toward the right as shown in Figure 2, it will be rotated faster and faster as more of the container is brought .into contact with the ribs 10. The speed of the container is increased until the container X is rotating at the same speed as the cylinder Y.

The container that is disposed in the lefthand side of Figure 2 is adapted to be moved the length of one container by a mechanism now to be described. This mechanism comprises two channel irons 20 that are disposed in the grooves of certain of the ribs 10. The channel irons 20 are disposed diametrically opposite each other and are adapted to slide in certain of the ribs 10. The channel irons extend the entire length of the units A, B, and C. These channel irons are adapted to be oscillated a distance which is equal to the length of one of the containers X. In Figure 4 it will be noted that the channel irons 20 are provided with spring pressed .do sl 21, these dogs being spaced along the channel irons 20 so as to be disposed between the containers X. The dogs are adapted to engage with the ends of the containers X so as to move the containers in a right-hand direction when looking at Figure 2. When the channel irons 2O are reversed in their movement, the dogs will be swung into the dotted line position shown in Fi ure 4, whereby the containers will be left in their advanced position. A continued reciprocating movement of the channel irons 20 will cause the containers X to be intermittently moved by the dogs through the unit A. Each time the containers come to rest they will be disposed beneath one of the lines of perforations 5.

The channel irons 20 are slidably secured in certain of the ribs 10 by means of bolts 22. A rack 23 is disposed adjacent to each of the angle irons 20 and is mounted in bearings 24 that in turn are secured to the casin 1. Yokes 25 are carried by the racks 23 anc slidably engage with rings 26. These rings 26 are secured to the channel irons 20 by the bolts 22. When the racks 23 are oscillated they will oscillate the channel irons 2() whichin turn will intermittently move the containers X through the device. In Figures 1 and 3 I have shown shafts 27 that have a pinion 28 in mesh with the racks 23.

i 3l is in mesh with a gear 32 that is rigidly lmounted upon the shaft 33. The shaft 33 is rotated a predetermined number of revo-- 'lutions in one direction and then a like number of revolutions in the other` direction by the means heretofore. described. l The unit B is identical with the unit A except that the jacket 4 contains soap suds that is sprayed upon the clothes in identically the same manner as the water is sprayed in the unit A. The rotation of the containers X causes all of the clothes to be thoroughly soaped, and agitated so as to -clean -the clothes. .The reversing of the movement of theA containers X also causes the clothes ,to be mixed 1n the container so as to give a rubbing effect to the clothes. After the clothes are soaked they are passed .into the unit C which rinses the clothes.

This unit is identical with the unit A and therefore needs no further explanation. It

will be noted from Figure 2 that the rings "l2 and the gears l13 have grooves 34 on their interior sides, these grooves being aligned with the grooves of .the`ribs'10` that carry Y the channel irons 20. The cylinder Y in the unit A and the cylinders in the units B and C which are constructed inv identically the same manner as the cylinder Y, form a continuous cylinder through which the containersX are moved by the dogs 21.

After the clothes have been rinsed by the unit C they may be passed into an extrae-f tor, i. e., a device for removing the water from the clothes, or may be moved into a bleaching, bluing, or starching unit. The bleaching, bluing, and starching units are constructed in identically the same manner as the units A to C inclusive, except that in lace of water or soap suds, bleaching, `bluing, or starching uid is fed into the units; one or morel of these units may be secured adjacent to the rinsing unit toform `amachine for handling certain kinds of work. In Figure 7 I lhave shown diagrammatically the bleaching, bluing, and starching units as being secured to the rinsing unit. These units, ofcourse, in practice would not be connected to each other in the manner shown. A bleaching unit-may be used independently of the bluing or starching unit, and in like manner, the bluing unit- -mavbe used independently of the starching and bleachin units. Asheretofore stated, the construction of the unitsis the same as the units A, B, and C, and they may be connected together with the units A, B, and C so aste perform the work. In Figure 6 I The shaft 27 is opera-` have shown the extractor connected to the rinsing unit. l

The extractor is shown in detail in Figure 2 and comprises a number of cylinders and 36,35 and 36 etc., 'that are mounted in castings 37 and 38'.A The cylinders 35 and 36 are perforated so as to permit the water that flows from the containers X to X are adapted to pass -through the units A,-

B, and C, and the cylinders 35 and 36. The cylinders`35 'and 36'a-re not rotated by the gears,` 13 as is the cylinder, Y. It willv be. noted from Figure 1 that a shaft. 39 is operatively connected to the cylinders 35 and 36 by means of a belt 40 and a differential mechanism indicated generally at 41. The extractor also consists of anumber of units as does the washing portion" of the device. Each unit in the extractor consists of the cy.inders 35 and 36 and the difereutial mechanism 41. i

The differential mechanism comprises a pulley 42 that is journaled in the castings .37 and bears upon thev outwardly turned The inner diameters of the cylinders flanges 43 of the cylinders 35 and 36.. The j -adjacent flanges of thexcylinders 35 and 36 vare spaced from eac-h other, and rollers 44 are disposed in between these fianges. The rollers are carried by the pulley 42 and vfrictionally engage with the ianges of the cylinders 35 and 36., It will be noted from this construction that I have provided a usimple differential mechanism in which a rotation of one of the cylinders. for example, the cylinder 35, at a speed of 30 revolutions a minute will cause the cylinder 36 to rotate at 'revolutions a minute, due tofthe fact that the pulley which operatively connects the two cylinders together by means of the rollers 44 vis rotating at a speed of 60 revolutions a minute. The containers X are fed from' the unit C in the form of the device shown in Figure 2, into the cylinder 35. The containers while in the cylinder C are rot-ated at the speed of approximate-ly 3() revolutions a minute. It is obviousA that the speed may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. When the container is received in the cylinder 35, it will continue to be rotated at the same speed as the container in the unit C` i. e., 30 revolutions a minute because the cylinder 35 friction'ally engages with the cylinder Y in the unit C. Since the pulley 42 is being rotated at revolutions a minute. the cylinder 36 will be rotated at 90 revolutions a minute. The container. X is then moved The rotation of the container when moved into the cylinder 36 is instantly increased to a speed of 90 revolutions a minute. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the cylinder 35 contacts with the cylinder Y and ,is therefore continuously rotated at the same speed as the cylinder Y, whether it iscarrying a container or not. In this way, the cylinder 36 is kept at a const-ant speed of 120 revolutions a minute. When the container passes from the cylinder 35 to the cylinder 36, a new container is passed into the cylinder 35. As just stated, the speeds of the containers 35 and 36 will always remain at 30 and 90 respectivev whether theyl carry a container or not. The cylinders 35 and 36 are of the same length as the length of the containers X. It will be apparent that when the container is disposed in the cylinder 36 the centrifugal force'due to its rapid rotation will force the water from'the clothes, and cause it to pass into the cylinder 36, from which it will drain into th-e casing 1 by means of the openings 45 in the cylinder. The container is then moved from the cylinder 36 into the cylinder 35 of the next unit. Figure 2 shows how the cylinder 35 frictionahy contacts with the cylinder 36 which causes the cylinder 35 to rotate at 90 revolutions a minute whether it carries a container or not. The belt 40 of the next unit is rotating t-he differential mechanism at- 240 revolutions per minute. It will therefore be seen that4 the cylinder 36- will be rotated at 390 revolutions a minute. In this manner 4the containers can be rot-ated at faster speeds by merely moving them through a number of these units. In the present form of the device (see F1gure 6) I ha've shown six units by means of which the contain-ers X are accelerated from a speed ot 30 revolutions a minute to a speed otl ll() revolutions a minute, and then back to a speed of 30 revolutions a minute. The containers are then moved into a cylinder 4T that is not being rotated by any mechanical means.v The containers when 1n this cylinder very quickly come to rest, and may therefore be readily received by the conveyor belt 48.

It should be borne in mind that the only operation necessary in running the machine is to place the clothes in the container, and insert the container in the unit A, whereupon the container will be automatically moved through the machine until it is deposited. upon the conveyor belt 48. In flat work, a. break down, suds, rinsing, and extracting unit would be used. The same number of units would be used for bath towels and the like. In clothing which is white or colored, and which is to be starched,

the same number of units would be used with` the additior1 of a starching unit. In White work that is to be ironed, the break down,

suds, rinsing, and extracting mechanism would be used.

In'Figure 7 I have also` shown a drying unit which is attached to the starching unit. This unit would be identical to the units A, B, or C, except that hot air is forced through the perorations 5 and withdrawn from the casing so as to thoroughly dry the clothes.

I claim:

1. In a laundry machine, a pair of cylinders axially aligned with each other, `a-pul ley disposed between said cylinders and having its axis aligned with the axes of said cylinders, and rollers carried by said pulley,

.and contacting with said cylinders.

2. In a laundry machine a plurality of cylinders axially aligned with each other, clothes containers 'adapted to be carried by said cylinders, means for moving said containers from cylinder to cylinder, and means for rotating'said cylinders at various speeds, whereby .said containers will be rotated at various speeds as they are fed through Said cylinders.

3. In a laundry machine, a casing, a plurality of cylinders carried by said casing and being axially aligned with each other, said cylinders being arranged in pairs, a plurality of pulleys, one of said pulleys being disposed between each pair of cylinders and having its axis aligned with the axes of said cylinders, rollers carried by said pulleys and frictionally engaging with the adjacent surfaces of said pairs of cylinders, and means for rotating said pulleys.

4. In a laundry machlne, a casing, a pair of cylinders, flanges disposed on the adjacent ends of said cylinders, a pulley carried bythe peripheries of said llanges, rollers carried by said pulley and spacing said flanges from each other, said rollers engaging with flanges to rotate said cylinders when said pulley is rotated.

5. In a laundry machine, a casing, a pair of cylinders, flanges disposed on the adjacent ends of said cylinders, a pulley carried by the 'eripheries of said flanges, rollers carried y said pulley and spacing said llanges from each other, said rollers engaging with flanges to rotate said cylinders when said pulley is rotated, and clothes containers adapted to be carried by said cylinders and to he rotated by said cylinders.

In a laundry machine` a casing, a plurality of cylinders carried by said casing and being axially aligned with each other, said cylinders being arranged in pairs, means for rotating each pair of cylinders, the cylinders of each pair contacting with the cylinders of adjacent pairs, whereby said contacting cylinders will rotate at the same speed, and containers adapted to be moved steo by step through said cylinders.

EPHRAIM L. HURD. 

